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Book: Ex-president's dog was so miffed that he ran away from the White House
Kathleen Kinsolving’s just-released book, Dogs of War: The Stories of FDR’s Fala, Patton’s Willie, and Ike’s Telek, explores the unique relationship past commanders in chief and military leaders share with their pet pooches.
In researching the tome about man’s best friend, Kinsolving uncovered some surprising tales about previous first families’ tail-wagging companions, such as when former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famed dog, Fala, was miffed after not being allowed to ride in the limousine with his owner during Roosevelt’s inauguration.
“Fala was so upset, because he always rode with Roosevelt, he ended up running away from the White House,” says the author. It seems the Scottish terrier sought a bit of cinematic comfort: “They didn’t find him until a few days later. He was found outside a movie theater. And the only way they were able to identify him is he had the collar, [which said] ‘Fala: The White House.’ ”
Kinsolving notes that White House pets are important because “we know those dogs will comfort [presidents] in these times of tremendous stress and pressure. It is important for all leaders to have that.”
And the scribe says she’d like to get more glimpses of the current commander in chief’s Portuguese Water Dog, Bo. “I’d like to see more about him,” Kinsolving says. “And I certainly hope President Obama changes his mind and gets a second dog.”
